Ep59: "Barefoot" Shoes vs Regular Shoes, the Pros & Cons

In this episode, Dr Clay discusses the pros & cons of "barefoot" shoes like Vibram Five Fingers and Merrell Barefoot vs regular running / tennis shoes. Even if you're not into running, you should still understand the basic biomechanical differences in running barefoot vs running in traditional shoes.

Visit http://www.drclay.com/category/dr-clay-show to see this "Barefoot" episode, and others, with the intended resources (links to stuff mentioned, pertinent articles, etc.)

Category:

Education

Tags:

• fitness
• running
• exercise
• health
• shoes
• barefoot running

[TheAbStand]

I've never tried barefoot, but I have been looking around for compression socks! My calves get SO sore when I run!

TheAbStand*net

[SuperApparition]

Dr Clay, the Raramuri actually land on their midfoot. Forefoot running places too much stress on the gastrocnemius and soleus. I've run barefoot for two years and it was only after going from forefoot to midfoot that my calf muscles stopped hurting so bad. Transitioning to barefoot was a painful process for me that took genuine commitment for about one year, but it was well worth it.

[jabilwahid]

Thanks Doc., another good look at barefoot running. Just a quick side note; the guys in the book "Born to Run" are the Tarahumara from Copper Canyon, Mexico not Kenya, Africa. Thanks again.

[seinfeld11123]

@fife2020 the mexicans a certain tribe do this huge marathon each year, in these thin shoes, I saw a guy get interviewed on the daily show, he wrote a book ect very interesting stuff, the first world maybe that, but when times get tough the 3rd world folk will thrive cause they been doing it for aeons

[seinfeld11123]

I have L3L4 disc problems ect. and I have had sprinting style shoes for years,last year I bought some cross trainer type, with big padded heels, I was scraping the heal alot for first few days, but after that I have had less back pain, and I walk more upright now, the higher heel makes me land on the front first.

[yanchee]

This is realy the best explanation I've heard/read yet. I'm a big fan of barefoot mimicing shoes, although I don't like 5-fingers beacuse, well, they're a bit too freaky. Especialy if you want to wear the outside.

I dont know if you have them in the states, but I wear vivobarefoot shoes from the shoe company Terra Plana. Realy cool models, from sprots/running shoes to regular shoes, all with a "barefoot" sole.

Tnx for spreding the word about this VERY important shoe problem.

[fife2020]

I think you mean South America (Mexico) instead of Kenya. Thumbs up

[SasQ88]

Thanks for taking the time, cheers man, great info..

[Lillbramme]

First! And thank you for interesting info!